10/13/08: nick draws ill posters.

10/02/08: one of my best drawings ever. the majestic sea goat. i'm a proud parent.

09/30/08: This is what my weekend was like.

Friday, drive to "the great sand dunes" * and camp.

Saturday, wake up. hike the dunes. see Sigur Ros @ Red Rocks. Drive to Rhinoceropolis, see High Places!

Sunday, wake up. drive back to albuquerque. see David Byrne!

*located in the southwest corner of Colorado.

09/22/08: hola. me almo josefus. am fevered. swollen nodes.

tour booking goes well. halloween planning on schedule. shows shows shows. got a new digital recorder & a badass loop station. is so good. you will hear some fruits of labor soon. solo performance never sounded so good.

speaking of laborious fruits, there are quite a few new recordings up on the yoda's house page. you should probably download them and put them on your ipod.

podcast composed. worry not tripp. :) it too is coming.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <3

08/26/08: Q: What has joe been doing?!

A: Watching waaaaaay to much Farscape. (almost half way through season 4)

My friends Seth & Megan got married at their beautiful home in Santa Fe over the weekend. I was the official amateur photographer, check out the photos.

Also, I'm working on planning a tour of the dust bowl for Yoda's House around Thanksgiving. We'll be going as far north as Minneapolis. More details as I have them.

There's new recording stuff in the works, a halloween extravaganza, and a dvd too. Be patient leiblings.

08/05/08: I just watched a really great documentary about copyright law, and creative culture. It's called Good Copy Bad Copy, and I highly recommend you watch it. It's worth downloading a torrent for higher quality if you have that ability.

Girl Talk is interviewed throughout the film, and he's really cool. It inspired me to check out his music, which is pretty cool. Cooler though, is how his new album release is layed out. It's a digital download / pay what you want similar to how Radiohead released In Rainbows (a brilliant album on top of a revolutionary distribution move). There are incentives and bonuses for paying higher amounts, but the big difference here is that you don't have to register your name, or prove that you've payed for anything. Essentially, payment is optional, because he realizes that you don't have to pay for it if you don't want to. There are two links right next to each other, initiate payment, and begin download. It's on the honor system.

This is truly beautiful. Expect Yoda's House to be following this release strategy. I'm all about the open source.

You can download our first official album for free right here.

08/04/08: So much fun. Thanks to the people who came and bought stuff. Super special awesome thanks to Rhinoceropolis, Brittany, and Nick for being so kind.

Super delicious yum yum thanks to Water Course for being so damn tasty.

click the picture for pictures from the weekend.

07/23/08:

mini tour! we're playing in Denver on Saturday. and I'm renting a car for the first time. wish me luck.

07/23/08: another beauty by mr james tingley >>>

(wouldn't show up online in the original colors for some reason james, but it printed great.)

so excited for this show!

this is why i've been so quiet of late. tons of working and planning and coordinating and practicing and scheming and dreaming and boozing and cruising and blazing and grazing and

and

and

and

and

and

and

it's tomorrow.

07/11/08: Yoda's House has it's first official merchandise. It's a cassette tape limited to 100 copies. Click the pic to see more detail shots. Nick did an amazing job on the art.

from the label's website:

This is the first release of the ever-changing Yoda's House. This 62 minute tape features a vast compilation of various live recordings and rehearsals from 2007/2008 all re-mixed and placed within haunting field recordings and other sound collages. Traditionally, this band has always brought something unique and out of the ordinary, even for themselves, to each live performance and this is the perfect scrapbook of those experiments.

I'll be putting up a paypal sale button and all that properness soon, but in the meantime if anyone wants one, they are 5 bucks postage paid (make payments through paypal to joe.annabi(at)gmail.com), mail order through featherspines, or we'll have them at shows.

When is the next show you ask? Tomorrow night @ STOVE. We're playing the Fertile Crescent's tour kick off show. It's going to be such a solid night. And for those who don't know, Bryce's ears have been troubling him of late, so they've switched formats from a sludgy electro rock foursome to an acoustic indian instrument threesome. I'm excited to see how this transition will affect their songs.

06/27/08: We're playing our second bar show ever this Tuesday. Come drink with us if you can make it.

We don't usually play the bars because half of the band is usually under 21, and most of our local fans at this point seem to be as well.

We're only playing this one because my friend Ashley is doing some booking for Burt's now, and she asked us to play with this really cool woman from New York.

See you there!

mike mignola drawing>>>

06/24/08: The show went well, as they tend to. Thanks to everyone who attended. and, BONUS! With a little help from Bryce we recorded the whole show. Nick and I have mixed together a wee little music video of one of the new songs.

It's called Ur's a Ghost Town, and you can watch it here on youtube. Be sure to click on the watch in high quality button found on the bottom right of the video. It makes a big difference.

06/20/08: heh. howdy! it's been a crazy month.

We're playing tonight at STOVE. Hope to see some of you there.

The gag order has been lifted, I can now tell everyone that my brother Malek got married to his old flame Margaret a couple of weeks ago. SECRET WEDDING ! Check out pictures from the small ceremony here. The reception was 2 sundays ago, and involved much bbq, and playing of Rock Band on the big screen at mom's house.

In entertainment news, Iron Man is super good. But I'm sure you know that already because you've seen it like the good little movie goer you are. Loved the hell out of the LOST and Battlestar finales. Also just discovered a new show called Breaking Bad which is filmed and based out of Albuquerque. The main character is a RRHS chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with terminal cancer. In an effort to not leave his family with insurmountable debt, he turns to cooking meth! How appropriate for Rio Rancho.

Also, Nick printed that 24 hour comic of his. You can see the cover & purchase it from his etsy shop. It's really good. And is essentially Less FUN # 2.

05/20/08: Wow. Thank you to everyone who came to one, two, or all three of the shows this weekend. It was really fun, and educational. We've done such a wide variety of musical styles, and accomplished really solid sets with the bare minimum of preparation (or none at all sometimes!). At the same time, it's nice to have some breathing room again. Next show is 3 weeks away.

Thank you James Tingley for designing this gorgeous new poster.

In other news, LESS FUN COMICS # 1 is sold out. Still no sign of issue number 2 in sight, but nick is about to be selling his 24 Hour comic, which is totally amazingly awesome, and is in the same continuity. You can read it for free on his website or flickr right now.

05/09/08: The fashion show was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who came (around 150 people!), and to the Wax Cartel who played great music, and to the models for looking great, and to the other designers for letting me be a part of such a fabulous occasion. We'll definitely be doing another one in the not too distant future. Click the pic to see what crappy photos of my own stuff I was able to snap. Hopefully the professional photographer photos will be online in short order.

In Yoda's House news, there's a new song up. It's called Ectoplasmic Tendril. Check it out. It's the first high quality recording we've done. First track off of our upcoming cd.

And next weekend YH is playing 3 shows in 5 days. Thursday, Friday, and Monday. Surely you can make it to at least one of those? Even if we weren't playing, they're all shows I'd be going to. (Especially Thursday!)

05/01/08: This Sunday I'll be involved in two very cool shows. One in the afternoon, one in the evening.

Click for the full flyer:

and

04/20/08: The acoustic set went really well. Surprisingly well. It was fun not having so much equipment to lug around, and set up. We'll have to look into doing more acoustic sets. We were followed by a new ABQ act called Calico. It's the lead singer of the Oktober People doing a solo loops and guitar pop act. And he's super good. Think the Postal Service meets Married in Berdichev. Anyhoo, we have mutual admiration for each other's music, so expect to see Calico on more shows with us. I'll let you know as soon as he has recordings online that you can check out.

Simultaneously making friends & burning bridges Yoda's House is. I'm actually friendly with a couple of the members of I is for Ida, but now Harry's got beef. Whatever. Marvel at his amazing use of the english language. I want to take a red corrective pen to his messages.

04/19/08: Dear Diary,

Yesterday was awesome. I went into Winning to make myself a burrito, and my boss told me that Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! was sitting at the big table up front. Apparently she was doing a book signing at UNM. As I walked out to meet her, the gathered entourage was hurriedly walking out the door, so I trailed after them. I said, "um, excuse me," they stop and turn around, "you're giving a talk tonight?" "Yes, here in about five minutes," she replied."Oh, cool, do you know how long it'll run?" I had plans to go to a friend's art opening around 8. "Oh, I think we'll probably wrap it up by 1 or 2 in the morning," she joked. "Haha, um, is it a payed event?" I asked. "You'd have to ask this man over here, he's with KUNM." KUNM man looks at me like I'm a crazy fool, and assures me that it's a payed event at Woodward Hall. "Oh, where is that exactly?" and before he can respond Amy says "why don't you just come with us in the van?" I'm about to agree to that when KUNM man tries to steer me away once more with less than helpful directions. Amy interjects again, "come on, just get in the van." So I get in the van.

I'm in the very back seat with her brother David Goodman, Amy and KUNM man are in front of us, and a documentarian is filming us from the front seat. Amy turns around with her hand out to me, "Hi, I'm Amy, and that's David next to you." I shake their hands. "Nice to meet you both, I'm Joe." "So, what do you do Joe?" "I'm a musician, and cartoonist." "Oh really? David is a musician as well." I turn to David, and he asks "what do you play?" "Accordion mostly, and I sing, what do you play?" "Clarinet." "Oh Cool! There's a clarinetist in my band, it sounds really good with accordion." "So what type of music do you guys play?" "well....instrumental, emotionally evocative, pretty music, with a fair amount of rocking I suppose. Vocal harmonies, no words. Have you heard of icelandic bands like Sigur Ros, or Mum?" He shakes his head no. "Well, they'd be my closest comparisons."

All this time Amy and KUNM man have been telling jokes and talking about how important KUNM is. She really appreciates our little town. They're really fast paced people, but not rushed, and with super sharp wits.

We arrive at Woodward Hall, and everyone starts to pile out of the van. I hand out some luggage to the man who's been filming as Amy rifles through her bag. "Where did I put my talking points?" she wonders aloud. "What will you be speaking about tonight?" I ask. "Well, let me find my talking points, and I'll be able to tell you!" Endless jokes from these kind folks. She grabs a DVD from her bag and hands it to me. "Normally we give these to people who buy two copies of our book, but you're already here with us, so you should take one. It's our 12th Anniversary Gala with Danny Glover, Juan Gonzales, Jackson Brown, and Willy Nelson!" She got super stoked about Willy Nelson. I thanked her, and said it was a pleasure to meet her as I left the van, extricating myself before possibly overstaying my welcome. She said it was a pleasure to meet me as well.

Then David, and she gave wonderful readings from their book Standing Up to the Madness. My brush with celebrity was over, but I left the reading with a aura of appreciation, and awe at the randomness of this world.

I made it to my friend Christopher Bratton's art opening a little later than I had planned, and it was all good. He had a bunch of great work hanging, but I'll just share this amazing painting he did of me, because I'm completely self centered, but you know that by now diary.

Well, I better get ready for tonight. Yoda's House is playing an acoustic set at STOVE for their one year Anniversary.

03/26/08: Psycho Killer, Qu'est-ce que c'est?

03/19/08: Sonic has been achieved, and it only took all of monday. Radical.

Finally saw Knocked Up, which is so unbelievably funny. I loved that movie. Last night we watched the new DVD release Justice League: the New Frontier, and it was pretty fantastic, as well as loyal to the source.

One week from Friday, Yoda's House is playing a really great show with some bands from Denver, and the Fertile Crescent. I drew a cool flyer for it. Check it out. Nick did great texture / hatch work on my figure.

Below is a really sweet video of Married in Berdichev, so you have an idea of what to expect from the show.

Time for me to go buy comics and flyer the town.

Later, skater~

03/17/08: The day has finally come. Super Smash Bros. Brawl is in my possession. Best video game evar. I have a million things to do right now, projects, commitments, etc, but they'll have to wait. I've really got to go unlock Sonic the Hedgehog in the Brawl ~

03/10/08: yow. where does the time go?

nick and i have moved into, and are about halfway unpacked at our new place. it's pretty sweet. i like it better than the old place for the most part. i'll try to post some pictures soon. speaking of pictures though, here's one of me from yesterday. i'm sporting a new look in celebration of march mustache madness. click for enbiggenment.

finally saw 2046 tonight. it's definitely wong kar wai's best, and most straight forward film.

LOST season four has been incredible so far. I am so very impressed with the shows ability to raise the bar each and every episode.

yoda's house is playing a show this wednesday at the moonlight lounge here in ABQ, with HEALTH, and a few locals. we were last minute additions because crystal castles cancelled. should be totally awesome. we're going back to classic YH jams, but with one of the most gorgeous arrangements to date. i'm excited. come have fun with us, it's an all ages event.

bedtime for bonzo. over and out.

02/25/08: Days away from a whole new kind of Yoda's House set. New faces, new instruments, all bookended with one of Albuquerque's most exciting new acts opening the show, and Philadelphia's Aunt Dracula closing with some face peeling psychadelic freak pop.

thanks to Nick for awesome flyer art, yet again.

02/20/08: new old art on my flickr account

02/14/08:

Will

this

holiday

ever

not

suck

? ? ?

Probably

not.

02/13/08: Weeds is a great show. It's like Arrested Development with hardcore consequences. Watched all three seasons over the weekend, and I highly recommend it. Season 2 is where it starts to get really good, and each episode's intro is performed by a different musician. Here's the theme song as sung by Regina Spektor:

and here's the clip that got me interested in the show to begin with:

02/11/08 again: City Paradise by gaelle denis

oh, and i don't want to jinx my summer plans, so i'll hold off on dishing to you until they're locked in.

02/11/08: meet my new instrument.

ain't she purdy?

01/30/08: well, hello. Heath Ledger died on my birthday. pretty weird. sad.

SparkleCast15 is here. the time has finally come. it's different though. no commentary from yours truly, just 75 minutes of awesome music. i'm kind of torn. this decision came as a result of not finding the time to record myself, but i think the podcasts will have more replay value without my dumb voice cocking it all up. disagree? agree? let me know.

PC USERS: RIGHT CLICK / SAVE TARGET AS / ENJOY

Mac USERS: I HAVE NO IDEA, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN

Featured Artists: Kria Brekken - bee xlaura, Metronomy - black eye / burnt thumb, High Places - cosmonaut, Silje Nes - over all, Beach House - heart of chambers, Radiohead - nude, the Blow - true affection, M.I.A. - $20, Animal Collective - fireworks, Sunset Rubdown - winged / wicked things, Balún - be careful when you walk, Bang Gang - something wrong, Mariee Sioux - flowers and blood, Amiina - seoul, Mirah and Spectratone International - gestation of the sacred beetle, Krista L.L. Muir - küss, Broadcast - unchanging window, Nalle - midwinter's dream, Gowns - clawless

above is the 96kbps version (51megs) click here for 192kbps version (102megs)

i've begun what i intend to be a new series of somewhat realistic portraits. hope you like. this was my triumph over braids. click the image for enbiggenment.

i've been spending a bunch of time with and around members of a local theater company, Tricklock, and they're a really fantastic bunch of people. it's inspiring to see so much passion, and commitment leading to such beautiful arts in the community. the Revolutions International Theatre Festival has been fantastic. i had the pleasure of spending time with a polish puppet company, Teatr Figur, and not only were they amazing people, they do gorgeous work. their shadow theatre show, The Smell of Elephants After the Rain was amazingly crafted. i really need to get on the puppet show train myself. so inspired.

last night, during a freaky bizarre blizzard flurry outside of the Golden West Saloon, i had the pleasure of chatting and sharing a smoke with Paul Provenza, probably best known for helming the Aristocrats. super nice guy. he and a bunch of other great comedians are in town as a part of the Revolutions Festival. Kudos to Tricklock once again.

i shall resume regular updates now. needed some time to spend with friends, and family. time to record a pitifully small amount of yoda's house material. time to watch a bunch of netflix movies (the spanish apartment is really good, and sunshine would be the greatest sci fi movie ever if the ending didn't have the unnecessary additional antagonist), time to plan for the coming months.

nick and i are moving into a new place with a couple of friends. should be good. i just started on the musical saw. it's an exciting instrument. yeah. things are going pretty well in the grand scheme of things.

i've got some really amazing summer plans shaping up, and more to share, but i'll save that stuff for next time, this post is running long. ~~~~~~ xoxo

01/03/08: Hey, guess what? SparkleCast15? Still not ready. We played on the radio, and it was good. Christmas came, and it was good. We played at the Launchpad and it was good. The new year came, and it was good. Now we are buckling down for some higher quality recording for our forthcoming album through the Lotus Sound. Hopefully it too will be good.

I'm seriously not posting again until the next SparkleCast is complete.

Just wanted to say hello. Hello ~~~~~~~~~<3

Here are those pictures of my art show at Winning, which was a big success.

12/18/07: Ladies and gents, a live stream of tonight's Yoda's House performance found here:

http://kunm.org/listen/ @ 11pm MST

12/13/07: My art show has been going well this past week. I've sold 4 pieces so far, which is more already than I honestly thought I'd be selling. People seem to really like my stuff, and I'm getting a really great response.

Hooray.

I'm going to add a few more pieces tonight hopefully, then I'll take photos of the room to show those of you who can't make it, what it looks like. For now, here's a photo of one of the newer pieces, and it'll link you to a photo set of a bunch of the art that's in the show.

Yoda's House is keeping very busy too. We're playing a live set on 89.9FM KUNM's Music to Sooth the Savage Beast on Tuesday, December 18th, around 11pm. Get your tape recorders ready.

Then we're playing our first bar show. December 26th at the Launchpad. Check out the awesome new flyer Nick drew for that one. And recently I've been obsessed with making animated gifs. Check out this one I made for David.

Oh, and Warren Ellis podcasted another Yoda's House song. "Yoda's House return with "Piamono," which is, basically, the soundtrack for the end of the world." Listen to the whole thing here:

the 4am: 07

Also from Warren Ellis, a bit of disturbing news. Advertising sonics shot directly into your skull.

Next post: SparkleCast 15 !

12/05/07: This movie is going to kick ass.

The show went so very well. Thanks to those who attended, you make me a happy panda. Krista and Shane had such a good time that they said they want to come back for sure. Pat yourselves on the back ABQ.

Hopefully I'll have the videos my brother shot up on YouTube in short order.

12/04/07: Well, I did it. My art is up at Winning Coffee Co.. Some of it at least. There will be another phase of hanging on Wednesday or Thursday, but today...I should go to bed. It's 7am. Just got back from setting it up.

Yoda's House is playing tonight. Come support us, and check out some of my art, new and old all at the same time. I'm sneaky like that.

Pictures and whatnot after I hang phase 2...and sleep...oh glorious sleep. <3

11/21/07: I love La Blogotheque. I've had the mp3 of this video for a long time, but never knew where it was from. It's the opening track on the forthcoming SparkleCast (I swear, it's almost ready, and a big fatty again), and I just found this video linked from the Hawk and a Hacksaw link I posted yesterday. Crazy. And! I figured out how to embed the video, so you don't have to go chasing this one down.

Kria Brekkan. Formerly of mum, currently married to Avey Tare of Animal Collective. My one true love. <3

11/20/07: Have you heard of La Blogotheque take away shows? Well, they're incredible. A Hawk and a Hacksaw were just featured, and the performances are gorgeous. Take the next 15 minutes, and treat yourself to a blissful experience.

Have a Happy holiday weekend folks. I have to go make art. I'll post a couple of the finished pieces later this week.

11/14/07: I was just searching the internets for a vegan enchilada recipe, and came across this awesome interview with Bob Barker. Bob likes vegan enchiladas.

"Real men are vegetarians. I don't think I would have worked as long as I did had I not been a vegetarian."

11/13/07: Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey. look at this flyer nick just drew.

Tell me, dear reader, will you be in attendance? Or will you be sucking, and inevitably regretting your bad decision?

Ok. Gotta go pretend to be an artist.

xoxo

11/07/07: I drew this in the San Francisco airport after they cancelled my first flight back home. Only slight tweaking to what I actually heard broadcasting in the terminal.

Writer's Guild Strike Could postpone LOST season 4!

Commentary on the strike from Joss Whedon.

Here's a helpful suggestion from a Brian K. Vaughan fan:

Now, I'm not a union member, though as a writer-producer-actor I hope to be a member of several unions in the not-too-distant future. Normally, I don't get caught up in this kind of thing, but I sympathize with the writers and want them to get what they want and deserve for two reasons:

1) I'd like to think that I work in an industry where writers get the respect they deserve. Very often, Hollywood will be really deferential to actors, directors, and producers, but treat the writers like the red-headed stepchildren. It's really inexcusable, considering that without the writers, the entertainment industry would be far less entertaining. They're not asking for anything unreasonable, and they should not be denied the opportunity to earn a living in this industry that's already making other people so much money.

and

2) I WANT TO BE ABLE TO WATCH "LOST" IN FEBRUARY! As many of you know, I'm a big fan. If the AMPTP doesn't cut the shenanigans, give the writers what they deserve, and end the strike in time for episodes to be written for the long-awaited fourth season, I'm going to go to L.A. and punch every producer in the face. Smile (I'm sure many people reading this have a show they feel this way about!)

Some of you are members of one union or another. Some of you, like me, are artsy-types who are not members of a union yet, but hope to be someday. All of you watch TV and go to movies. I read that the WGA was welcoming non-union supporters to picket with them. While I don't have time for that, I thought I would send a letter to the AMPTP expressing my support for the writers as a viewer. Thought I'd get other interested parties to do the same.

If the spirit moves you, and you'd like to extend your support, you can contact the AMPTP here:
http://www.amptp.org/contactus.html

You can either send an e-mail via their online form (quick and easy!), send a letter to the mailing address on the page to the attn of AMPTP president, Nick Counter (nothing has the knives-out poetry of angry letters stacked on a desk!), or call the phone number on the page and leave a polite message with Nick Counter's assistant (depending on how concerned you are about the whole thing). It doesn't have to be long. It can be something like this:

Dear Mr. Counter,

I am a television viewer and movie-goer. It is the job of your organization to make and keep me happy so that I continue to go out and buy things, thereby keeping your advertisers happy and those in your industry gainfully employed (and also happy). What would make me happiest at the moment would be if you treat the WGA fairly and give the writers what they want and deserve to successfully end this strike. The entertainment industry needs its writers. It also needs its audience. The longer we have to sit through re-runs, the less likely we'll be to keep coming back - especially when we have On Demand cable and Netflix and YouTube to keep us warm. I'm writing this note, as one of the many viewers you are trying to court, to express my support for the writers. Thank you.

Sincerely,
(your name here)

Or something like that. In fact, feel free to steal that and alter it for your own purposes. Smile Feel free to forward this e-mail to anyone you think might be interested, too, as there is power in numbers. Post the links I've included in your blogs, on your networking sites, or on any relevant message boards you visit. I would love the writers to know that it isn't just fellow union members who support what they do, but the average viewers across the country who enjoy the stories they tell, and want to keep them coming. Thank you!

10/31/07: Happy Halloween!

My trip was incredible. Múm are the world champions of musical performance. They had so much fun on stage, and I had at least as much fun watching them. Hildur's presence on stage just brightens the whole thing. She's got an infectious positive spirit, and I am so glad she's a part of the band now.

Mary and Matt showed me a wonderful time in the bay area, and I have some photographic evidence. Two flickr sets, one for halloweenies, and one for the rest of the adventure. Click the pics to see. I miss my SF life already.

November is going to be a nose to grindstone month for me in preparation for my art showing at Winning Coffee Co. which will be up for the month of December. I'll try to post progress as I finish pieces.

Also, on December 4th we're hosting the lovely and talented Krista Muir all the way from Montreal. I've talked about her on here before, you may recall Nick and I touring around Texas with her a couple of years ago when she was playing music as Lederhosen Lucil (waltz across texas). Well, now Yoda's House gets to play a show with her at Winning, where I work, while my art is hanging. So yeah. Busy busy.

10/23/07: Not enough hours in the day. Can't make this all pretty and image formatted. New art is viewable on my flickr account.

See you when I return from California. Assuming fires don't consume me.

10/21/07: The past week has consisted alternately of me laying down being sick sick sick and working almost everyday. What a glorious week. Hence the lack of postings.

I'm leaving for LA on Tuesday. Seeing Múm play a show there on Wednesday. Then driving to San Francisco with MJ to see Múm again on Thursday. Staying with Matt Sheldon & MJ for the rest of the week. Should be radical.

I've got a piece of art, and some fotos to share before I leave. Expect to see those up here either later tonight, or tomorrow.

Oh! Also, there are a few new songs on the Yoda's House page. Marvel at their majestic beauty. We've got an album in the works. More on that when it happens.

10/12/07: I am sucky. I realize this. Apologies. This week has been crazy busy. Helped my brother Malek move from Denver to Albuquerque, saw a ton of amazing musical performances (hooray for Devendra!), wined, dined, and reclined. May the utter gorgeousness of this Sigur Ros clip below wash away your disappointment in me. I have to change that banner up top ASAP so as to not be a liar any longer. Perhaps "Updates Every Week."

10/02/07: Warren Ellis is one of the best, and most popular writers in comics today. He is starting a podcast series called the 4am, and the first edition features the song Wraith Rite by my band Yoda's House.

From WarrenEllis.com:

"So I'm podcasting again...and I'm podcasting new music by new bands and musicians, because that's what I love."

"[wraith rite] is a sort of thumping, organic postrock: like Animal Collective (or, more accurately but obscurely, Kemialliset Ystavat) doing Godspeed! You Black Emperor. Which is why it's eight minutes long. I personally cannot get enough of this hideous clanging noise..."

Awesome. Click here to check out the podcast. Thanks again, Warren!

ALBUQUERQUE! Don't forget our show tomorrow. Winning. 8pm. Be there.

09/25/07: On that rare occasion when I don't have to come up with new content for these blog updates, I find my greatest joy. Thank you Erin Pullen.

Erin is the author of Day Job, a blog about artists who haven't quite made it yet. She wrote really nice things about me, and Yoda's House. Thanks, Erin!

09/23/07:

Just made this.

Images courtesty of CuteOverload.com

09/18/07: Yoda's House recorded some great stuff this weekend, and a had alot of new faces playing along. The new songs we debut at the Gowns show are going to be pretty crazy. :) Hopefully I'll get some of those recordings up this week.

AWESOME

09/12/07: The next Yoda's House show is coming up. Should be a great time.

Playing with some talented musicians. Can't wait. :)

I love making these show posters. It's always a hoot, and is the only work in Photoshop I've done in ages.

This show should prove to be a little different. Hannah's not with us anymore. Nick is going to be on keyboard. Alli might be joining us on vocals by then. Catch us with our pants down as we transition to the future.

Actually, none of us will be wearing pants. That's right, even Nick has a sweet velvet gown. A gown for Gowns. :)

Working on paintings and such for my December showing at Winning. Will share as I can.

ABQ peoples can now access my one of a kind HTM T-Shirts from Cutie Pie, just east of the Route 66 Diner on Central. Pictures and such to come.

09/03/07: I drew a comic on the coffee of the day board where I work (Winning Coffee Co.)

Click to see a larger version.

How are you? Well I hope.

Not much else to report at this moment. More later.

08/30/07: Yoda's House on YouTube

Could the video quality be worse? probably not. I told mom I'd share though. Working on getting a better quality video uploaded, but it'll be a while due to compatibility issues. : . /

08/29/07: siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick. AVP2

08/25/07: Animal Collective - Peacebone. Like woah.

08/22/07: HAPPY TRANSISTOR MAN SHIRTS NOW IN PRINT!

Click the picture to see more. I'll be selling both one of a kind thrift store masterpieces & mass printing basic plain colors, and sizes. Expect them to be purchasable via this website, etsy, and in shops on consignment here in ABQ. More details as I have them. Email me if you want one in the mean time. You know how slow things can be around here.

This past few weeks have been crazy hectic. The show on Friday was a huge success, dues to the 100+ people who showed up. Thank you so much everyone, you made us feel very welcome. The Fertile Crescent was in rare form, and rocked harder than ever before, aided by amazing stagecraft glowing stalagmites, and purple velvet cloaks of Sunn O))) proportions. I'll be posting video from the Yoda's House portion of the show ASAP on YouTube.

Hannah is gone. :( Minnesota bound. Joining Jackie who left us just days ago. It was good to have Graham around. He's back in NYC, along with Amy, who departed just before Jacks. Rachel is leaving for Iowa in a few days. Lisbeth left us for Portland. Sarah & Andy, newlyweds, off to Seattle. Melissa is in tow just behind them. It's a mass exodus. On the bright side, less friends in town means more productivity, right??? We shall see.

I love you all & hope your Wednesday is bright and shiny.

08/15/07: New mum video, They Made Frogs Smoke 'Til They Exploded.

08/12/07:

I had the pleasure of catching St. Vincent in concert a couple days ago. On the right, a picture during soundcheck. Below, a video I recorded of the song Now. Now:

About half way through the show Annie walks up to me and says "You're a musician right?" Bewildered, I confirm her suspicions, and she hands me a mannequin arm and tells me to play with her and the band. The arm had two remote triggers on it which created percussive noises when you slapped them, and after figuring that out, I got to jam out with them for a few minutes. It was amazing. After the show we chatted a bit, and I had her sign my vinyl. "Dearest Joe, You rule the mannequin arm! xo St. Vincent"

08/08/07: Here's that thing I said I'd post over the weekend.

Jesus. My mind has been disintegrated by Jordan Crane's Uptight #2, out last week. As with all of Jordan's work, the entire package is elegant & beautiful, with more style than a person is used to encountering in print media, let alone comics. The content is no less staggering-- tales of heartbreak and the human condition. The first of three stories is a creepy haunting yarn. The second story focuses on a blue collar grandfather's evening home from work. Easily the most affecting 10 page character sketch I've ever read, this one really did it for me. The final story is a portion of Keeping Two, a narrative that has been slowly trickling out of Jordan for nearly a decade. The darkest chapter thus far, a husband ponders the horrible fates that must have befallen his wife when she doesn't return from the video rental store. All of these stories are illustrated with a delicate grace, and simplicity. I wish Uptight would come out more frequently, but who am I to talk, as we rapidly approach the anniversary of Less Fun #1, without a 2 in sight? It's probably time to do something about that.

And on the right, some drawings I did that same night. More later. Time to read.

07/27/07: FINALLY. Rise from your grave, SparkleCast.

Right Click / Save Target As / Enjoy

Featured Artists: Metallic Falcons - snakes and tea, Au Revoir Simone - sad song, Joanna Newsom - colleen, Beach House - saltwater, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs - down boy, Crystal Castles - air war, Broadcast - black cat, Pinback - good to sea, Lavender Diamond - like an arrow, Klima - her love is happy, Olive Drab - to the sea, Panda Bear - ponytail, the Blow - the sky opened wide like the tide (lucky dragons mix), Francois Virot - my head is blank, Avey Tare and Kria Brekken - sis around the sawmill, Yoda's House - wraith rite

07/26/07: Yay! Finally got a venue together for the August 17th show.

SparkleCast in progress.

Later tonight / tomorrow morning.

Totally.

In other news, Paprika is freaking bad@$$. Satoshi Kon never lets me down.

Gotta go go go.

<3

<3

<3

07/20/07: Wow. So busy. It was great to hear Scott speak, and to meet he and his family afterwards. The McClouds are wonderful people, a truly inspiring family. I love their dynamic. Sky and Ivy told me that Happy Transistor Man makes them really happy, and they graciously received copies of Less Fun #1. Sky and I chatted about Veronica Mars, Buffy, Studio 60, and a bunch of other television shows that we both watch. She had some great insights, and is, I'm sure, going to make a fantastic television writer someday.

Today I saw Ratatouille, and it was such a pleasure. Brad Bird, the man behind the Iron Giant, and the Incredibles, has outdone himself. It never ceases to amaze me how genuine the emotions are in a Brad Bird film, nor how sharp the wit & design. Will hopefully get to see Paprika on Sunday? Fingers crossed.

Apologies on the further delayed podcast. It's on the tip of my digital tongue, things just keep popping up.

07/10/07: Change of plans. SparkleCast14 will be out this weekend sometime. I'm randomly going to Denver with mom to visit my brother for a couple days.

Also!!!!!!!! >>>>>>>

Huge comic event people.

A week and a day away.

Also, the Fertile Crescent is playing a show this Thursday at Winning Coffee Co.....totally worth your time.

See you in a few with a gigantor podcast in tow.

07/09/07: Such an awesome show. Thanks to everyone who came! You made us feel very welcome, and we had a fantastic time once again. Can't wait for the next.

The return of the SparkleCast will hopefully be tomorrow. SparkleCast14 is huge, to compensate for the lack of podcasts in May and June. It will also contain one of the newest Yoda's House songs, Wraith Rite. I just need to record my talking bits.

07/02/07: Forgot to mention I sold my motorcycle. Cease all worries mom. <3

06/28/07:

The show was a mega success. Thanks to everyone for coming out, we had a really great time. More rock to come. I'll let you know as soon as I know when.

I've been hassling Nick to draw Yoda, so he made this >>

Get it?

06/24/07: Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter <---listen to the new album Like, Love, Lust & The Open Halls of the Soul. For Free! Jesse just emailed me back today to assure me that she'll be playing in both Santa Fe & Albuquerque in late October. She added that she loves New Mexico, and is considering moving here. Hooray!

Also, if you look down you'll see that Mammal Eggs have joined the show this Wednesday. It's an honor to play my second live show ever with two of the best, most interesting bands in NM. Not to mention the talented musicians from other bands willing to moonlight and play as Yoda's House. It's rad. See you there ~

<3

06/20/07: Well, Tuesday came and went without a peep from me. Busy bee. I've been playing and recording a ton of music recently. Good thing, because we've been invited to play with a touring band last minute. Yoda's House is playing our second show ever on Wednesday the 27th. That's one week from today. We've got our work cut out for us, but I think we'll have a nice set crafted by show time. Come out and join the fun if you can. It'll be at Winning, where I work. 111 Harvard, across from UNM.

New tracks will be posted soon, probably next week before the show.

Sorry about the lack of art / comics related posts of late, I've just been focusing all of my time and energy into my music. There are still comics rumbling around in the background, as well as my first ever solo art show coming up this December. I'm in the middle of a bunch of paintings and drawings for that. There on the right is a big Derby piece I'm about half done with.

06/11/07: Four Eyed Monsters is a unique film, about romance in the digital MySpace / YouTube age. The line between documentary, and fiction is quite blurry here. The film makers are playing themselves as the two main characters, meeting over the internet, and taking a really untraditional path at getting to know one another.

This is as independent as film gets.

71 minutes in length. For this week only Erin and Susan are showing their movie on YouTube:

06/05/07: A little late in the day, but I'm bringing you some goods here.

There is a new song on the Yoda's House myspace page. nico is 13minutes 41seconds in length and features myself, Bryce Hample of the Fertile Crescent, and Daniel Brigman of the Coma Recovery. Here is a 192kbps download of nico.

More songs, and news on live performances soon.

05/29/07: So, Nick and I are a part of this local comics collective 7000BC, and we're involved with this thing:

N4th Gallery in VSA North Fourth Art Center has joined with 7000 BC to present Strip: Undressing Comics, an exhibition that exposes the process of making sequential art. The exhibit provides a unique look into the processes and products involved in comics creation. The show documents the stages of taking an initial idea to finished product, from scribbled thumbnails to email exchanges, from photo reference to printed book.

Opening Reception: June 1 | 6:00-8:00 pm Exhibition: June 1-July 21

I'll definitely be at the opening reception, but you don't need me to hold your hand. Come check it out if you're interested / bored.

And to the scumbags who failed to steal my motorcycle, may you die a long and painful death.

05/24/07: TV update. Veronica Mars and Studio 60 are the latest casualties of network television. :(

LOST season 3 wrapped up last night with a bang. Great show, great season. Poor future Jack! Three more 16 episode seasons to go, and I can't wait. Thank Bob this one won't get the axe, as they've already signed a contract through the end of the show. Now begins the painful wait for new episodes in 2008. :o

05/22/07: James Tingley just sent me this really awesome clip of Jim Henson performing some experimental puppetry on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. It's really neat to see this because I've recently heard the performance on a Raymond Scott CD that Nick has. Scott does the tripped out music experimentation you hear along with the visuals...and Jim of course is speaking.

05/14/07: Leaving for Denver today to see Joanna Newsom and Bjork, but I thought I'd point you all in the direction of something really cool before departure.

Nick and I got a really good review from Jenni Moody of the Phantom Power Comics Podcast. She discusses every facet of the book from production to character design and speaks really well of it all. In total she talks about Less Fun for five minutes.

"A great example of what a mini comic can be."

Download the podcast here, and look for our review from 35-40 minutes through.

This more than makes up for the less than stellar review we got from Ka-Whump, and Jenni even links to our websites and the SparkleShoppe directly from her site.

Thanks a ton Jenni!

05/08/07: Oh wait.

It's Tuesday isn't it? Heh.

Not alot to share right now.

Chugging along with projects.

Living the barista life.

Da feesh.

Spidey 3 = thumbs up from me

04/30/07: Oh Iceland, how I love thee.

04/27/07: Who is it that never lets you down?

04/21/07: Who's Joanna Newsom??????

04/20/07: David just linked me to a Pitchfork article that reports Joanna Newsom has been announced as the opener for Bjork @ Redrocks. I thought I should publically congratulate myself for having tickets to this show already.

You can't see, but I'm doing the happy dance. You know, the one Snoopy does.

04/17/07: Ugh. So tired. Just got back from seeing Sunset Rubdown in Denver. It was awesome.

No time for real update. Must shower.

Sign this petition please. What's it about?

An excerpt from an explanation: What the Post Office is planning to do now, is implement a rate structure that gives the best prices to the biggest publishers, hence letting them lock in their market position and lessen the threat of any new competition. The new rates could make it almost impossible to launch a new magazine, unless it is spawned by a huge conglomerate.

04/09/07: Right Click / Save As / Enjoy

Featured Artists: Cocorosie - werewolf, the Fertile Crescent - scarecrow, Blonde Redhead - the dress, Cruel Black Dove - love song, Sunn o))) and Boris - the sinking belle (blue sheep), Sara Lov - new york, Caramelitis - un caballo saltado, Mice Parade - night wave

I decided to ditch the Yoda's House track for now. Someday soon you'll get to hear that one.

04/03/07: So, the Fertile Crescent, my dear friends, are having their CD Release party this Friday @ Winning, the coffee shop where I work. Here's the poster:

You should totally come to the show. These guys are serious musicians. Don't believe the hype? Read this article about them from the March 22nd Alibi.

Or you can always preview 2 of their new tracks on the MySpace page.

My favorite song, Scarecrow, will be on the next SparkleCast. As soon as I finish the Yoda's House track I want to include.

More fotos of Bryce in my owl mask holding the bunny can be seen here.

04/01/07: So cool. Check out the Henson studios internal video detailing the way to draw Kermit, featuring Jim, Frank Oz, and Michael Frith.

03/27/07: Well, Less FUN has it's first printed review in Ka-Whump!#2, which is all about "news and reviews from the underground press".

With a score of 2 1/2 out of 5 eyeballs, it's far from a glowing review, but the writer does say a few nice things, and definitely echoes some of my own concerns with our first attempt at print comix. That said, I find it frustrating when people think that we've failed at communicating something, rather than the truth of the situation, which is that there is no way to understand the bigger picture with what we've presented so far. That is completely deliberate. If those of you who've read our book felt confused at the end of To Fetch A Pail, then we succeeded. Hopefully it isn't frustrating, but tantalizing...

I take this reviewer's criticisms with a grain of salt though, because he gave a much better review to a comic, that will remain nameless, which I found to be abysmally written and heinous looking....and inexplicably, instead of including our websites as a mode of contact or way to get a copy of our book, he included our home address...which is silly.

It does make me really happy to hear yet another person connecting with Balki. It's encouraging, and those Balki fans out there will be pleased to know that the next issue breaks the vignette format, and will have him taking center stage. Balki fans may lament the fact that said issue has no projected release date at this time. :)

I love it when people can't identify what sort of animal Cadwallader is. He's a cacomistle, not a dog. He's also been mistaken for a moose. Go figure.

03/24/07:

Thank you girl I don't know. I will add your suggestion to my action items list.

You'd be surprised how often people I don't know are compelled to tell me how gay I am. Or maybe you wouldn't be surprised. In any case, I used to think that people shouting faggot at me from passing cars was my least favorite method of delivery, but in this we have a new winner.

It's not that I care what you would assume about my sexual preferences. Imagine I suck dudes off all day long. Go right ahead. Doesn't bother me if you're into that kink. What bothers me is the vitriolic bigotry.

03/21/07: Whoops! Dropped the ball yesterday.

Life news: Motorcycle is finally paid off, and now officially for sale. 3000 bucks and it's yours.

Been working on music mostly these days, with some great results. Lot's of collaborations with lots of folks.

News on Veronica Mars. Possible Cancellation. Possible format shift: 4 years into the future, Veronica is now an FBI agent. Sounds amazing to me.

Click above to read Matt Kindt's Super Spy free online. It's pretty stylish and cool.

The Mouse and His Child is on YouTube in it's 77 minute entirety! This 1977 animated classic is pretty bizarre, and had a twisting effect on my fragile little mind when I used to watch it as a child. I'll leave you to your viewing.

03/13/07: Oh, hey Tuesday. I'm still not fully better from the food poisoning awesomeness, and I have a cough as of today, so I'm gonna go have a lie down, and finish watching the second half of Running With Scissors. But, just because I love you...

Boston wanted you to know that they're still pretty stupid.

Sadly, Feist's new album isn't quite doing it for me, but the Mushaboom video makes up for this misstep in her career:

03/11/07: ....................................<3 japan <3....................................

03/10/07: Ugh. I got food poisoning from Dunkin Donuts last night. Never been through something like this before. I'm out of the woods now, but it was pretty awful.

Ugh.

So sore.

Stupid donuts.

Wrecking my day. : /

03/05/07: Woo-friggin'-hoo. I am done with Outback.

Speaking of that which is done, Day Break is finally done. ABC pulled their heads out this weekend and posted the series finale, which was just as phenomenal as the rest of the show. How this great show fell under the radar, I don't know, but you should take your chance at seeing it all for free while you can. All episodes are available on the Day Break website.

And diggity dang, Heroes was so sick tonight. April 23rd is the next new episode. Broadcast media schedules are frakking stupid. LOST had the right idea.

I've got more to post, but I have to be at work in under 7 hours, so it's time to sleep. I've got a bunch of cool stuff in the works. I'll share as I can.

02/28/07: With my finger on the pulse of TV news, I bring you updates on some shows of interest.

Veronica Mars:On January 19, 2007, CW Entertainment President Dawn Ostroff announced that, while she was pleased with the gradual improvement of Veronica Mars' ratings, the show would be put on hiatus while a new reality/talent show aired in its slot. The hiatus will begin March 6 and end in April or May, at which time Veronica Mars will return for a final five episodes which will have stand-alone, nonserialized plotlines. Ostroff did not confirm either that the show will be renewed for a fourth season or that it will not.

Studio 60:On November 9, 2006, NBC announced that the show had been picked up for a full season, citing its favorable demographics as the reason. According to NBC's press release: "Studio 60 has consistently delivered some of the highest audience concentrations among all primetime network series in such key upscale categories as adults 18-49 living in homes with $75,000-plus and $100,000-plus incomes and in homes where the head of household has four or more years of college."

On December 2, 2006 NBC announced that Studio 60 would be sharing the Monday at 10PM timeslot with The Black Donnellys. To accommodate this NBC scheduled Studio 60 to take a 7 week hiatus between December 4, 2006 and January 22, 2007. It was then scheduled to run non-stop until February 26, 2007 when it would take another hiatus (the length of which has yet to be determined).

On February 13, 2007 NBC announced that Studio 60 would go on hiatus one week early and that the last episode would air on February 19, 2007. This is at least partially due to the show delivering its lowest ratings to date on the Monday preceding the announcement.

This next bit really gets to me. The network says it's interested in capitalizing on Studio 60's appeal to the intelligent high dollar consumer, but they don't consider how this demographic's access to certain technologies would affect the already flawed system used to determine a show's ratings:

On December 29, 2006 Nielsen Media Research reported the results of having, for the first time, monitored viewers who use a Digital Video Recorder to pre-record shows for later viewing. According to the Nielsen numbers, adding these viewers increased Studio 60's ratings the most in percentage terms of all network shows. These ratings, called "live plus seven", include all viewers who use a DVR to record the show and then watch it within a week of its initial airing.

According to Nielsen, Studio 60 adds nearly 11%, or almost a million viewers, to its total every week as a result of these "live plus seven" viewers.

Thanks, Wikipedia.

02/27/07: Kelice sent me this hilarious video, and you must see it yourself.

George Takei: 1 Homophobes: 0

George Takei is on a roll. First this, then his surprise return to Heroes last night. The man is on fire.

02/26/07: I haven't really talked about myself in a while. So here we go.

I've got a new job. I'm working at Winning, an internet cafe on Harvard & Central. It's pretty sweet, and a 5 minute walk from home. I should be done with Outback by the end of this week hopefully, meaning I won't be commuting anymore which is too cool.

I've been a vegetarian since the middle of January, and it's way easier than I would've imagined. It feels good to be taking these steps toward a more responsible relationship with the environment.

On creative fronts I've been less productive then I'd like, but I'm working on stuff when I get the chance. There should be some new paintings, and music sooner than other stuff, but comics are on the way too.

I wanted to use the "UPDATE" graphic from Unsolved Mysteries on this post, but the internet fails me, and I can't find it. Now I'm just creeped out from thinking about that show. It's always filled me with a paralytic fear. Damn that theme song.

02/19/07: In honor of the day, a cool little music video about Washington...sort of.

Oh. Probably not work safe.

02/14/07: Right Click / Save Target As / Enjoy

Featured Artists: M.I.A. - bird flu, Day Break Theme, Cocorosie - turn me on (kevin lyttle cover), Mum - moon pulls (hlaupanotan session), Lavender Diamond - I want to rest my heart, the Flaming Lips - vein of stars, Vote Show Pony - love hearts, Sean Lennon - tomorrow, David Bowie - Within You, Panda Bear - untitled, Avey Tare and Kria Brekken - live from the Stone 04/06, Sifl and Olly - "it's almost the end of the show" theme, Arcade Fire - intervention

Enjoy that M.I.A. song? You've gotta check out the video for Bird Flu.

If you'd like to download the whole Avey Tare & Kria Brekken show I sampled, click here. A note to fact checkers, I say the show occurred in September, but it really happened in April. : o

Also, the first song I talk over is the theme to a great show called Day Break. It's kinda like Groundhog Day but as a murder mystery. It no longer airs on ABC, but you can watch all of the currently released episodes on ABC's website, with new episodes uploaded on Mondays.

In other news, here are two related stories. One about the fate of our planet, and one about those @$$holes in powerful positions trying to seed doubt .

Speaking of powerful @$$holes, Bush wants to kill NPR & PBS again. Maybe you should do something about it.

Happy Valentine's Day

02/13/07: Check back tomorrow for a V-Day SparkleCast. It'll be tight.

Speaking of the SparkleCast, you can now subscribe via iTunes if that's your bag. Use this xml code: http://www.sparklingseahorse.com/sparklecast/podcasts.xml

Directions for the iTunes impaired can be found here. The second paragraph in the right hand column details the where and how.

02/06/07: THIS JUST IN! Joanna Newsom's favorite animal is the Seahorse!

02/05/07: Satoshi Kon's new film Paprika is released on May 25th! He's responsible for the incredible animated films Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, and Tokyo Godfathers. This movie appears to be no less amazing. I can't wait to see it.

01/30/07: Nothing real to report. Busy doing research for a story. I'll post some art later in the week. Until then, It's ADVENTURE TIME! Love that Pen Ward.

01/27/07: Word.

Also, ABQ peeps, Animal Collective tickets are on sale for 5.24.07. Go buy one from Natural Sound now before it's too late. It will most definitely sell out. And! Kristin from mum plays piano on the new Animal Collective EP, and she's in some state of wedlock with Avey Tare, so there's a good chance she'll be on stage. :-0

01/23/07:

Nick Jr. Greenlights New Series Yo Gabba Gabba!, A New Live-Action, Magazine- Style Music Series Set to Premiere Fall 2007" By PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Nick Jr. has announced it has picked up a new original half-hour preschool series, Yo Gabba Gabba! The 20-episode live-action magazine-style series will use music and song to highlight simple life lessons and universal experiences in the lives of preschoolers. Produced by The Magic Store and W!LDBRAIN, Yo Gabba Gabba! will commence production in April in Orange County, CA, and the series is scheduled to premiere on Nick Jr. in Fall 2007.

01/22/07: Happy Birthday to me. Happy SparkleCast 11 to you.

Right Click / Save Target As / Enjoy

Featured Artistas: Mirah - cold cold water (remix), Shugo Tokumaru - karte, Modest Mouse - dashboard, Chiarastella - mandorlinfiore, Olive Drab - dark, Air - napalm love, the Good, the Bad, and the Queen - three changes, the Shins - sea legs, Gruff Rhys - lonesome words, Bitter:Sweet - overdue, Mum - sleep-swim

Mostly brand new, much of it as yet unreleased music. Check out what some of my favorite musicians are up to these days. Grab a glass of wine, and let's toast to the good times. <3

!!!!!!HEROES IS BACK TONIGHT!!!!!!!!

01/16/07: Hello Tuesday. How are you? Oh I'm fine. Why yes, the 22nd is my birthday! No no, you don't have to get me anything. Well, if you insist, I would like a Nintendo Wii, or the Little Koala on DVD. That's really nice of you, Tuesday. I appreciate it.

On the right is one of the sketches I did in a copy of Less FUN for some lucky person. Here you'll find another such sketch: *WARNING* NOT WORK SAFE. Unless of course, you work in a penis factory.

How bout them dancing HTMs? Guten scheisse.

Monday update next week with the first SparkleCast of 07, in honor of my birth. It'll be sick. You'll see.

01/09/07: It is totally still Tuesday. I've been sick since the wedding, so I haven't had the energy / motivation to get on the computer. Apologies.

The January 2007 edition of Liberty News is online. It is titled The Truth About Food, and is the best, most informative episode in a long while. I urge you all to watch it, and learn about aspects of agriculture's relationship to you and our world that you may not be aware of.

On a somewhat related note, Ancient Ice Shelf Breaks Free From Canadian Arctic. Please join myself and other concerned citizens in our virtual march to stop global warming. Come on, rub elbows with such celebrities as Barack Obama, John McCain, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Below are my two favorite pictures I took at the wedding this weekend. Click here to go to the photo set. Congrats Suzanne!

01/05/07: Ok, ok. This one's for Sarah and Melissa. I'll try not to fail you. :)

I'm about to get on a plane to PHX, as in I leave in 2 hours. Another cousin's wedding. I know, it seems impossible that I could be attending another cousin's wedding, but that's what happens with 30 first cousins. Lots of weddings.

Anyhoo, as I prepare for my flight (browsing the internet) I think of Wil Wheaton, aka Wesley Crusher, and his excellent tirade against airport security and the climate of fear America is knee deep in. You tell 'em Wil! My hero.

Here is a really neat New Yorker comic by Chris Ware. There's also a 5 minute audio interview about the piece. Love that Chris Ware. Somber as usual.

Cai Guo-Qiang is an AMAZING artist. Don't worry, they're not real animals.

And lastly before I leave you to shower and pack my overnight bag, you should check out this wonderful children's book that was recently brought to my attention. Wicked Tim is a wicked little critter, and Harry Rountree was a masterful illustrator. Go now, see Tim generally terrorize the penguin population of a small island.

12/24/06: Merry Holidays! I've got a grab bag for you all today. First, a new comic by Nick, colored by yours truly, and then a parade of links.

David made me into a dancing elf.

Fist me this Christmas, a holiday carol.

Mission in Snowdriftland, a free side scrolling game from Nintendo. I don't have the patience or skill for it, but maybe you do.

My Christmas Wish, a digital holiday card with animation and speech you can program. It's weird, and you can make it say naughty things.

Twisted Sister - Oh Come All Ye Faithful video.

And down below is the most unexpected and awesome Christmas Card I received in the mail this year. Isn't that adorable? Thanks Kochalka Family!

Bring on the non holiday themed links! You Don't Know Jack is back! So rad. I'm going to have to buy Vol. 6 for myself soon. I love these games, and the daily dis or dat is keeping me very amused.

ComicSpace. It's like MySpace for comix. Many fans and professionals have already hopped on board this infant networking site, which promises to be awesome. My ComicSpace page is here. Join up and friend me, yeah?

SAVE DARFUR Take a minute to sign the petition. Don't be a Grinch. Then maybe Stop Icelandic Whaling too? I know. I'm so demanding.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ! March 2007

12/21/06:

Well. It snowed.

12/19/06: Right Click / Save Target As / Enjoy

Featured: James Kochalka Superstar - hand in glove, Vince Guaraldi Trio - christmas time is here (vocal), Boston Pops Orchestra - dance of the sugar plum fairy, the Knife - christmas reindeer, Raveonettes - the christmas song, Paul McCartney - wonderful christmastime, The Flaming Lips - christmas at the zoo, Brenda Lee - rockin' around the christmas tree, Death Cab for Cutie - christmas (baby please come home), Bishop Allen - winter coat, John & Yoko, the Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir - happy xmas (war is over), John Denver & The Muppets - the christmas wish, Bright Eyes - silent night, John Brophy - have a merry lettle xmas, Santa from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Each time it gets better and easier. My vocals have never been better thanks to a new technique where I run my vocals through my multi effects pedal. The XmasCast brought to you by Creatrix, goddess of creation. Mark Ryden is such a pimp.

If you want more Holiday tunes, Nick's got an podcast you can check out as well, and the final track from the XmasCast is from an album that's actually a free download on the net. On that album, my friend from high school, Ariel Muniz, does a cover of the Flaming Lips - Christmas at the Zoo that's really good.

Joanna Newsom cancelled some of her shows at the last minute. Albuquerque was on the hit list, and I will weep eternally. Or at least until she comes back around, which she says she'd like to do to make up for it. Yeah yeah, They Might Be Giants said they'd be back too! "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on ---shame on you. Fool me......you can't get fooled again."

12/12/06: Aloha. I'm busy. SparkleCast10 next week. The XmasCast. It will be glorious. I promise...

I wanted to wait to share this on Christmas, but I just can't. You need to experience the wonder that is Charlie Brown Christmas performed by the cast of Scrubs. Thanks be to James Tingley for that one.

New brush sketch on the right. In a world where Heap is a cyclops. I like it, but it makes him look a little too much like Zaudde.

Here's a link to a 10 minute animated film called Rabbit. It's awesome and creepy. It's long so it takes a while to load. You may want to just right click and save target as. If you're really crazy about it and want to buy it on dvd or just see a short preview, go to Run Wrake's site.

Got my ticket to Joanna Newsom today!

12/06/06: Right Click / Save Target As / Enjoy

Featured: Mum - live from sugarcubes reunion show, KiLLGuN -steamboat, Miho Hatori - a song for kids, Beck - cellphone's dead, Yellow Magic Orchestra - mad pierrot, Shugo Tokumaru - paparazzi, Pri Fair Game featuring Black Moth Super Rainbow - rumsfeld farewell (catapiller house mix), the Rapture - get myself into it, Mirah - mt. st. helens, Joanna Newsom - peach, plum, pear, Krista Muir - leave alight

The Gorillaz are helping me celebrate the holidays with a sweet advent calendar interactive desktop. Check it out.

Up top is a pretty standard type of sketch I've been doing when signing comics for people. Working with a nice new brush pen that I found out about through Making Comics. It's the brush Craig Thompson uses. Too bad Dick Blick and Pentel are a bunch of chumps and my refill cartridges are MIA. How can you sell a pen that uses refill cartridges but not sell the refills? First time the Blick has let me down.

One of the last songs on this edition of the SparkleCast is by Joanna Newsom. It's eccentric and beautiful, and so is she. Check her gigantic harp out. I'm super pumped to see the show she's playing here in Albuquerque on December 15th. Sadly not an all ages show, sorry younger friends of the seahorse. :(

Also from the SparkleCast, here's a link to a sweet Miho Hatori video. Enter the site and it's on the opening page. It's the song Barracuda, with sweet animation by Masaru Ishiura.

And don't forget to go to Krista Muir's new myspace page for some sweet new yuke tunes.

Here you can read a 15 page preview of a pretty sick looking comic, GYAKUSHU! I'll have to check that one out.

Here's a short comic called Touchfood by Jen Wang, a Flight contributor. It's beautiful.

And the last little nugget of joy today is a really cute comic by Dave Roman, actually used to propose to his wife, Raina Telgemier. Awwww....so romantic. A match made in comic book heaven.

A description of the wedding from Scott McCloud's blog, "The wedding started with music from Disneyland: Matterhorn music, followed by Raina entering in the dark to The Electric Light Parade music, the corsages and her bouquet all having lights. It was humorous and fun, and really sweet...Raina and Dave put together a comic book for the wedding (the room was decorated with comics as well) that contained their engagement comic and other stuff by other people, just awesome. Everyone was amused by the fact that all the friends found the comic and started reading it, and the relatives didn't notice it."

Sounds perfect! I'm so jealous. Congrats to the newlyweds.

11/28/06: Well, I hope everyone had a good holiday weekend. Mine was a blur of late night video gaming with my brother Malek, and high caliber cinema with him & mom.

We saw Stranger than Fiction and The Fountain, both of which were fantastic in their own way.

I didn't expect Stranger Than Fiction to have as much heart as it did, and I was pleasantly surprised to tear up by the end...but these weren't cheap The Notebook tears, they were tears of weight with questions of morality, and mortality behind them. Tears of substance. Bonus* Maggie Gyllenhaal looking super hot as a baker. Go see it!

The Fountain, surprisingly didn't make me cry. It was too powerful and awe inspiring. I couldn't clearly emote, let alone think during, or even after the credits ran their course. Mo, Malek, Mom, and myself were quite the somber group afterwards. It just completely disoriented all of us, and was incredibly thought provoking. Unrelated to all of that, the movie begins with an intense scene that had me wishing the film was an epic action conquistador film instead of an existential trip. I wouldn't recommend this movie to just anyone, as it's fairly heady and really leaves alot of the meaning up to the viewer. It's one of those movies that will only begin to reveal it's deeper truths upon repeated viewings. Definitely my favorite of Aronofsky's films.

Imogen Heap was nearly perfect! Went with Taylor, Nick, and Emmy, and it was so very lovely. She began the show by walking all around and through the audience singing hello to us as she brushed past. Her manner was very sweet and wonderful, and she "introduced us" to her many unique and beautiful instruments once on stage. Then she began to sing as well as any woman ever has. She was at times accompanied by this really incredible beat box guy (reminiscent of Bjork's Medulla album) who had been one of the opening acts and did really impressive covers of NIN Closer, and some Portishead song. Overeager fans, and a light tech cut Imogen short on Hide & Seek by applauding / dropping the lights before she was finished. She was visibly miffed, and we may never know what unheard addition to the album version she was about to unleash, but she didn't say anything about it, and left on a high note saying that she'd definitely return to Albuquerque. She was very gracious, and no doubt the last minute rush of ticket sales pushing the show to a larger venue on the day of the event helped her feel that way.

11/21/06: So, here's my colored pencil version of the cover to Less Fun Comics. The original is hanging up at Astro Zombies, where I'll remind Albuquerque people to go buy it!

I've got some comic recommended reads to report.

Kazimir Strzepek's the Mourning Star is a really entertaining read, and it promises to be an epic fantasy story set in a post apocalyptic landscape just one year after a huge comet's impact destroys most of the civilized world. He's got a rich illustration style, and an active, action packed imagination. Plenty of gags throughout, and a variety of characters are introduced in this volume. An amnesiac scissor wielding warrior, the Snipper Sniper is one of particular interest to me. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I have a feeling the wait between volumes will be as painful as it is between Scott Pilgrim books!

Brian Ralph, author of Cave In, one of my favorite books ever, has a new graphic novel called Daybreak. It too is post apocalyptic, about a world sieged by zombies. For a zombie yarn, it's really untraditional in it's presentation on two counts. First, you are one of the characters, as the entire book is first person, and second, you never actually see the zombies, mostly because you're always running and hiding from them. It's very cleverly handled, and the few people you interact with throughout the book are pretty eccentric characters. The pacing is lightning fast, and you'll just fly through the book, but it's really good, and definitely has some great potential. That is assuming that Brian actually chooses to see this one through to an end. (Hello Crum Bums? Where are you? Was that even the end of the saga? Will we ever know?) Highly recommended.

Industrious penny pinchers can dig through the New Bodega Blog and read the entire thing for free.

I'll be reviewing more comics throughout the week, and talking about some of the stuff I got from Stumptown, but now I wanted to link to some videos from the Sugarcubes reunion concert that just took place in Iceland over the weekend with Mum opening. Here you can see the Cubes playing Birthday, and Hit. For comparison's sake, and because young Bjork is impossibly hot, check out this older (better) live performance of Birthday. Also, here's a video of Mum. New Mum minus Kristin now. Sadness.

TV Time! Monday night was an excellent night of serialized storytelling on all major networks. Studio 60, Prison Break, Heroes, and How I Met Your Mother all at the top of their game. Each of them leaving me hungry for more. I will be so very depressed if any of these shows get cancelled before they've run their course, Prison Break worrying me the most due to FOX's horrible track record with canceling quality fiction and embracing the depraved*

*Incidentally FOX thinks that just because they're no longer going to run OJ Simpson's If I Did It, they're somehow going to avoid being judged for agreeing to do it in the first place. You have no scruples Rupert Murdoch, and while this isn't news to me, you've reached a new low.

11/14/06: I've been so busy with getting the new comic out there that the anniversary of SparklingSeahorse's founding passed me by. As we begin year 3, let's take a look back on what year 2 was all about. Just to break up the monotony of this trip down memory lane, I'll pepper the post with new sketches.

Let's see, there was the front page redesign, the addition of Desktop Backgrounds, Yoda's House debuted, the shaky start of the SparkleCast (At first I was really nervous to have my voice out there, and it shows...but now I think I've gotten into a groove, and I top myself podcast to podcast. Did you hear the Halloween episode?! Vincent Price talks to me from beyond the grave! That's pure gold.), then, FINALLY, the end of year 2 brought us the SparkleShoppe with Nick's & my first printed comic.

So, what will Year 3 be like for the seahorse? Bob only knows. More of the same, and a whole heaping crapstack of new junk. Nick and I are going to crank out more comics, I'm going to start making & selling more merch. There's some other exciting stuff that I don't want to hype too soon, but shall be 100% radical & new. You'll just have to wait and see.

Ah. Reflecting on days gone by. Well, back to work.

11/10/06: Attention Albuquerque peeps: Want a copy of LESS FUN COMICS #1? Don't be a sucker and pay that reasonable $1 shipping fee from the SparkleShoppe when you can buy your copy from Mike over at Astro-Zombies. He's a nice man. Let him service your comic, action figure, and used record needs.

Portland, Oregon peeps: Cosmic Monkey Comics has 2 copies of LESS FUN COMICS #1. Run, don't walk, and save yourself $1 before it's too late. Tell 'em Joe sent you. They won't have any idea who you're talking about.

Both sites have directions / maps. Have at it.

Worry not fence sitters, previews of the interior as soon as I get 'em colored.

SHIZUKI ROCKS. Channel 101's Your Magic Touched Me Nights had a new Halloween episode go up, and it's hilarious as usual.

The show that started it all:

Your Magic Touched Me

Who just bought their ticket for Imogen Heap? That's right. Me.

11/07/06: Sound the trumpets:

Gotta go vote. More later perhaps.